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The Rev. Canon Robert Schiesler
The Church of the Nativity and St. Stephen’s
Third Sunday after the Epiphany
http://www.lectionarypage.net/YearB_RCL/Epiphany/BEpi3_RCL.html
Audio: /documents/Eucharist__January_21__2024
Video: https://youtu.be/sIqPV4WaK8g
EPIPHANY 3B, ( "Follow Me") NATIVITY/I -21-24
The Gospel of Mark opens on a rather sour note of John the Baptizers arrest but swiftly moves to the central theme of Jesus' Good News: "The time is fulfilled; repent and believe." John's public ministry has ended and Jesus' has begun. Disciples are called; epiphany for some is unfolding as friends are called beyond business as usual to opt for a new kind of life. In other words, are those early followers of Jesus willing to repent, that is "turn around" their lives and live into a life yet to be totally discovered?
Jesus comes with an invitation to something more than dwelling in the mundane or participating in the cut throat, win or lose, games that can so easily overtake us and distort who we can authentically be. Rather than be caught on the treadmill of self service, his offer is simply to enter into his Good News, to perceive on a new level, to catch a glimpse of Divine light in a world shrouded in misery or depression. And in doing so, we become reflectors of that luminous knowledge and faith, walking with others in that light.
Reflect on your own life as you grew into adult maturity. Did not the Good News first come to us through the invitation of another? Yes, we may have read the Bible and listened dutifully in Sunday School but what really captured us with conviction and dedication; what drew us closer to Christ and his message of new, unending life, yes with cost or pain or risk but always with resiliant challenge and hope and abundant love?
From as early as I can remember, I sat with my family in the third pew from the pulpit each Sunday at the 9AM Service. I came to appreciate the music and the flow of the liturgy culminating in walking up to the communion rail and receiving that tasteless little wafer which quickly dissolved in my mouth...a simple act but one so profound in being touched by God, blessed by God, sanctified by God, propelling me into a new week no longer just days of school and chores but days of discovery, care and love. And wrapping all this together was our pastor, Thomas J. O'Shea. He still had a touch of the Irish brogue that he had as a 12 year old arriving in the states. He was tall and distinguished in his vestments...so impressive for a young boy like me. Sitting in front of the pulpit, I can see him still speaking directly to me. I cannot tell you one word he said but I can tell you of the living expression of faith he became for me, so much so that I eagerly accepted his offer to go to seminary on scholarship, forsaking Bellefonte High School for the big city of Baltimore. In sharing his faith and seeing more in me than I could imagine myself, he set me on a course of faith and self discovery, sometimes rocky and trying but always of worth.
On that road, I found two wonderful, gifted, supportive women along with the Episcopal Church, ordination and several challenging leadership positions and so much more. All because of one primary person, along with my encouraging, ever faithful parents who said, "Follow Christ."
Who in your life has made the same invitation, by words and acts...by just being themselves, living expressions of care, service, love and hope in their Divine Savior?
In today's Hebrew reading, we hear Jonah, tested and roused by the word of God, to walk across the landscape of the city of Nineveh, proclaiming the truth, inviting the populace to repent, to turn aside from self interest, security and choices grounded in evil not goodness, compassion or love. And they did and so did God, looking upon them with compassion and mercy rather than judgement.
In the middle of this Epiphany season, an "in between" time of discovery and rejoicing before we enter the season of Lent, we are invited to prepare for something challenging and costly as well as something profound and renewing. We remember those witnesses of faith and action in our own lives and we are grateful for their good news, "Follow Christ".
The theologian, Justin Martyr, in his 1st century writing, Apologia, tells us that, "Twelve in number went out into the world; and although unlearned and without talent of speech, they have, through the power of God made the whole race...to understand that they have been sent out by Christ to teach the words of God to all."
Our privileged task is no less.. ...like generations past, we too boldly follow, share, emphasize, care for and about, simply love and proclaim the Good News.
May we accept Christ's Good News and pray for the strength of mind to seek peace in all ways, strength of body that we may confidently walk with others towards freedom and strength of spirit that we may lead all of God's children towards unending salvation and never faltering love.
